POLS ON THE STREET: Challengers Should Ignore Rumors

COMING to chef and owner Husain Thompson’s grand opening were Nicetown CDC CEO Zakariyya Abdur Rahman, State Rep. Ron Waters, Husain, Laborers District Council President Ryan N. Boyer and Councilman Curtis Jones. He had help of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell in reopening landmark site.

BY JOE SHAHEELI/ The Public Record is constantly fielding queries from potential candidates which are neither plausible nor probable and just don’t make sense.

Most susceptible are the neophytes – those contemplating legislative or senatorial races for the first time.

Our advice to them is to worry about their petitions, to make sure they have their campaign committee registered, to fill out their petitions properly, to avoid ditto marks on those petitions and to get them to Harrisburg on time.

There is nothing worse for a potential campaign than to have a lady or man sitting at the filing desk, leafing through your petitions and invalidating them for mistakes you and your team have made on those petitions.

While we are getting rumors out of the way, the most ludicrous we heard is State Rep. Bill Keller (D-S. Phila.) was planning to retire. He laughed as loud as we did and tells us, “I’ve got too many things on my plate to think of retiring.”

We know that is true because of his vital presence in the Port of Philadelphia, where, together with State Sen. Michael Stack (D-Northeast) and Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.), he’s kept dredging on the front burner and is responsible for the Port’s receiving its coveted “Military Strategic” designation by the Defense Dept.

Stack, in the meantime, invited several Senators to visit the city, hosting them for dinner.

McCAFFERY DEFERS TO MURPHY FOR A.G.

Attorney Dan McCaffery has decided to not seek the Democrat nomination for the State’s Attorney General post. He will be among those supporting former Congressman Pat Murphy.

ORTIZ PUSHED LATIN AGENDA ON HILL

Of interest, but not noticed during the redistricting conferences in Harrisburg, was the continued presence of former Councilman at Large Angel Ortiz, who is proud of the fact he helped convince Republican legislators to draw at least two districts with large Latino votes. He operated under the organization label of Latino Alliance, a nonprofit he founded.

Ortiz continues his political activity as he was seen at the home of former State Rep. Ben Ramos, who held a party for key supporters as he seeks the Democrat primary in the 197th.

That seat may see Ramos battling another of Sheriff Jewell Williams’ children for the seat as well as Tomas Sanchez husband of Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez.

Ben Ramos kicked off a bid for the open 197^th Legislative seat at Tierra Colombiana restaurant in North Philadelphia.

G.O.P. TEMPEST SHOULD REMAIN IN TEAPOT

Philadelphia’s lone GOP legislator ,John Taylor, who has long been a household word in the 177^th Dist., has become the guy to go to between the factions dividing the Republicans in the City.

He’s also become the conduit to the Republican leadership in Harrisburg and often finds himself in contact with Mayor Michael Nutter and other City leaders.

He reports some caucus endorsement meetings have shown unanimity as the caucuses accommodated candidates from all sides.

He feels, with all the enthusiasm shown, “It’s time for the Republicans to run challenges in every legislative seat, no matter the odds.”

His message to the city’s Republican factions is “concentrate on making a presence in the primary and general election, rather than throwing around allegations.”

McCOLGAN AVAILABLE IF CALLED ON TO SERVE

GOP Council at-Large candidate Joe McColgan apprised the Public Record its “Elephant Corner” column of Jan. 19, “falsely states I have withdrawn my name from consideration for the position of Chairman of the Republican City Committee if, in fact, that position becomes vacant.

“For clarification, I received the attached invitation on Tuesday (Jan. 17) afternoon and responded that night my unavailability to participate in this event was due to a prior commitment. At no time did I state I was ‘withdrawing’ my name from consideration for the position in question.

“Having had conversations with many ward leaders, I am humbled by their support and encouragement. My desire to remain engaged after the City Council at-Large race is strong and my sole intention in a Republican City Committee reorganization is to lead – to change the discourse and win elections!

“Any questions, feel free to reach out. Be well. McColgan Joseph M. McColgan (215) 514-2742 or Joe_McColgan@verizon.net.”

The column did not, in fact, state McColgan had withdrawn from consideration for City Committee chair, but merely for a debate between candidates. That debate itself has since been canceled.

SEN. KITCHEN BEGINS REELECTION CAMPAIGN

State Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen (D-N. Phila.) kicked off her reelection campaign for the 3rd Dist. today at 2 p.m. at her campaign headquarters, 310 W. Chelten Avenue.

Notwithstanding her popularity in the district, Kitchen believes, “It is not too early to begin the campaign, particularly since we have an early primary on Apr. 24.”

The Senator added, “The 3rd Senatorial Dist. is large, it’s diverse and it touches many of the treasured communities that make up Philadelphia. The district includes North Central Philadelphia, Nicetown, Tioga, Logan, Lower Germantown, Olney, Fox Chase, Lawndale, Crescentville, Lawncrest, Roxborough, E. Oak Lane and Melrose Park Garden, encompassing some 252,000 residents.

“Opening this office on Chelten Avenue will enable supporters from the Northwest section of the city easy access to my campaign. In fact, transportation via SEPTA or by car is an easy route to take from anywhere in the city. Thus we expect many visitors, volunteers and supporters at this office. Since this is also a presidential election year, I plan to carry the name of our President, Barack Obama, for reelection as well.”

Kitchen says her goal is to open a satellite campaign office in another part of the district, after the petition process has been completed. All are welcome to stop by the Northwest campaign headquarters this afternoon.

LOCAL TEA PARTY MIFFED AT MAHER

The Independence Hall Tea Party PAC, the first Tea Party group to formally endorse Mitt Romney for President, is calling on HBO to fire “Real Time” host Bill Maher for making slanderous remarks about the Tea Party.

On his “Real Time” broadcast, Bill Maher said, “They finally see somebody they like…. I mean, Newt Gingrich, I’m sorry, but he does mirror who they are: Mean, snarly, borderline racist…. I’m sorry, not borderline.”

“First of all, many Tea Partiers are not backing Gingrich for President,” said PAC President Don Adams.

“While the Independence Hall Tea Party PAC has endorsed Mitt Romney, additional Tea Party leaders have also endorsed Mitt Romney, while others are supporting Rick Santorum. (According to one recent national poll, Romney was garnering 29% Tea Party support versus 28% for Gingrich.)

“But most appalling was Maher’s charge that Tea Partiers were ‘mean, snarly, borderline racist’,” said PAC New Jersey VP Bill Green.

“Why is Maher permitted to use HBO broadcasting to slander and smear 60 million Americans who sympathize with the Tea Party message of less government spending, lower taxes, and more free enterprise to put Americans back to work?”

“What evidence does Maher have to back-up his outlandish charges against the Tea Party? This is not the first time Maher has crossed the line. He should be fired – immediately.”

MIKE O’BRIEN BEGINS 175^TH REELECTION BID

State Rep. Michael O’Brien (D-Kensington) will officially kick off his bid for reelection this Saturday at the Transportation Workers Union Hall, 500 N. 2nd Street from 1 to 4 p.m.

Expected in attendance will be labor officials, ward leaders, and many of his voters.

DEVON CADE PUSHING FOR STATE AUD. G.

Educator and community leader Devon Cade is in the Democrat Party for State Auditor General.

He states his experience has made him ready to serve.

Cade grew up in a row house in West Philadelphia, where he learned value of public serviced from his mother Deborah Cade, who was a Bell Telephone/Verizon operator for many years.

Devon has served as a Philadelphia School District student advisor, and later as a school resource liaison.

In 2010 Devon was nominated and confirmed by Gov. Edward G. Rendell to serve on the US Selective Service Board.

As a Chief Executive Officer, Devon worked with local youths, and seniors to have them join in a partnership called the “CEO for a day program” to allow youths and seniors to understand business, leadership, and accountability.

CONTROLLER WINS A GOLD MEDAL

City Controller Alan Butkovitz’ Office has been recognized for its excellent work on numerous occasions, especially its performance audits. Its most recent award, “2011 Gold Medal Winner for Best Website”, was given by the Association of Local Government Auditors.

It’s the fifth consecutive year the Controller’s Office has received an award from ALGA.

PRIMARY SEEMS SURE FOR G.O.P. ATT’Y GENERAL

Tim Burn, Tom Smith and Steve Welch seem to be in the primary to stay despite what happens when the state GOP meets to caucus on nominees in Hershey this weekend.

Same goes for Sam Rohrer who has begun campaigning for an open primary.

NEWT HAS IRISH BETTORS WORRIED

Following Newt Gingrich’s win in South Carolina, Europe’s largest betting company Paddy Power is sweating over its decision on Friday to pay out early on Mitt Romney winning the Republican nomination.

While Romney remains the favorite for the Republican nomination his odds have taken a significant slide from 1/14 to 2/5, while Gingrich’s odds have been chopped from 6/1 before the South Carolina Primary to 2/1.

For Florida Primary, Romney and Gingrich are joint 5/6 favorites for the win with Ron Paul and Rick Santorum both at a very unlikely 66/1 to record their first victory of the campaign.

Paddy Power a spokesman for Paddy Power said, “It looks as though we could have jumped the gun too soon by paying out on Romney. Newt Gingrich is continuing to build momentum and if he succeeds we could end up with some very expensive pie on our face!”

SUPREMES WEIGH IN ON REDISTRICTING

The seven members of the State Supreme Court heard arguments about whether to order changes in the newly redrawn state House and Senate districts. Last night, in a landmark 4-3 decision, they upheld the challenge and ordered the Reapportionment Commission to start all over again.

The court heard oral arguments for 10 challenges, with another three filed in writing, to the 203 realigned House districts and the 50 Senate districts. Opponents, who don’t like the new lines asked the court to “remand” the new district maps back to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission for more work. The five-member panel approved the maps in December. The court’s decision impacts over 900 election districts (divisions) out of 1867 and 10 legislative districts in Philadelphia alone and throws many upcoming primary races, for which candidates have already started to circulate petitions.